Though the 24th World Economic Forum on Africa in Nigeria is over, a major area of focus was on healthcare. It included a two-day PPPs (Public Private Partnerships) in Health in Nigeria Conference 2014’ tagged, “Connecting the dots: Policy, Practice and Profitability.”
Experts have opined that effective public healthcare delivery cannot be left to the government alone, hence the need for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the healthcare sectors of the economy.
The PPPs in Health Nigeria 2014 Conference among others looked at PPP models from other countries with history of successful practice in the healthcare sector. The aim was to use such measures to increase the effectiveness of healthcare delivery in the nation.
The conference also witnessed an award event which according to the organisers, was targeted at providing a reinforcement and advocacy for more and improved PPP contracts in Healthcare.
Pathcare Laboratories, the internationally accredited pathology laboratory, once again emerged winner in the diagnostic segment of the healthcare service providers categories, for providing improved access, quality, efficiency and accountability in the public healthcare delivery through its fully established Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Also emerging as winners in the various Categories were Garki Hospital, General Electric (GE), JNC International, Fidelity Bank and IFC.
Emmanuel Abolo of the PPPs in Health Nigeria, noted that the objective of the award is to recognise organisations who have played strategic roles in upgrading healthcare infrastructure and services through PPP arrangement, adding that nominations for the awards were based purely on a team of independent assessors.
The organisers recognise that to build sustainable healthcare system and infrastructure in the face of growing challenge, Nigeria must embrace informed PPPs as a means of easing the strain on government budget.
PPP in healthcare aims to provide increased accessibility and availability of services to the general public; increased quality and quantity of manpower available for the enormous health challenged faced by Nigerian; and improved primary healthcare services which in turn engenders improve quality of life for the larger society.
Most developing countries of the world like Nigeria are therefore creating and reviewing models and frameworks that are suitable for PPPs to thrive having realised the possible benefits to both government and citizens.
Kemi Ajumobi
